Pest risk assessment made by France on Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri considered by France as harmful in French overseas departments of French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique - Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Plant Health

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anglais. Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Plant Health was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on 30 pest risk assessments made by France on organisms which are considered by France as harmful in four French overseas departments, i.e. French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. In particular, the Panel was asked whether these organisms can be considered as harmful organisms for the endangered area of the above departments, in the meaning of the definition mentioned in Article 2.1.(e) of Directive 2000/29/EC and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC.This document presents the opinion of the Panel on Plant Health on the full[1] pest risk assessment conducted by France on Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citriwith French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique, considered as endangered area.X. axonopodis pv. citri, recently renamed as Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (XCC) causes the Asiatic citrus canker, a plant disease that affects Citrus spp., Poncirus spp. and other members of the family Rutaceae. XCC causes necrosis of the parenchyma that leads to necrotic lesions and cankers on leaves, twigs, branches and fruit of susceptible plants. Under severe infection, the disease causes defoliation, unsightly blemishes on fruit, premature fruit drop and general tree decline. The disease leads to extensive economic losses in commercial citrus-producing areas where it occurs. The Asiatic citrus canker is known to be present in citrus-producing areas worldwide. It has been reported from Asia, South America (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Brazil), Oceania and the USA (State of Florida). The pathogen is not known to occur in French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique. It is not present in Europe, either.The Panel examined in detail the risk assessment provided, and considered the accuracy and quality of the information provided and methods applied for pest risk assessment purposes. The review was based on the principles of the International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures ISPM No. 11[2]: Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests including analysis of environmental risks and living modified organisms (2004) by the International Plant Protection Convention (FAO, 2007b).Following a detailed analysis of the material provided in the pest risk assessment made by France in March 2004 on XCC, which is considered by France as potentially harmful for French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique, and after additional study of published information on the pathogen and the disease it causes.The Panel concludes that:* X. citri subsp. citri (XCC) and X. axonopodis pv. citri are synonymous to name the causal agent of the Asiatic citrus canker. XCC is one group of the “strains of Xanthomonas campestris pathogenic on citrus” listed in the directive 2000/29/EC, which includes also X. fuscans subsp. aurantifolii and X. axonopodis pv. citrumelo.* Asiatic citrus canker causes severe damages and high control costs, where it occurs.* Under the French regulation, the probability of entry of XCC into the PRA area on plant propagation material would be low because of the current ban. The probability of entry on citrus fruit would be higher, as fruit may be imported into French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique, although under special requirements.* Should the current regulations governing the imports of citrus fruit and plant material be lifted, the probability of entry of XCC into the PRA area[3] on plant propagation material (rootstocks, grafted seedlings, scions, etc) and citrus fruit would be high.* The probability of establishment of the pathogen in the PRA area would be high because (i) susceptible hosts are grown in the PRA area, (ii) the climatic conditions in the PRA area are similar to those in areas of the pathogen’s present distribution, and (iii) control measures are not likely to be undertaken in the family gardens grown with host plants in the PRA area.* The probability of the pathogen spread after establishment would be high for the PRA area.* Should XCC enter and establish in the PRA area, the direct effect of the disease within commercial groves would be high because of yield losses and costly eradication measures. High yield losses would occur in smallholdings and family gardens, where the disease is not readily controllable, with potential negative social impacts.* Uncertainty remains on the potential role of minor susceptible rutaceous hosts in the introduction and spread of XCC.In agreement with the document, the Panel concludes that XCC is appropriate for evaluation of pest risk management options and can be considered as a harmful organism for the endangered area of French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique. The Panel notices that XCC is already in the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC, as “Xanthomonas campestris (all strains pathogenic to citrus)”